top of page
Smile
Providing Activities For The Elderly CIC
b_Original_edited.jpg)
Smile
Smile is a small community based
non profit company based in West Lothian,
that provides activities for elderly people
living in care homes and in the community.
Smile is an acronym for
“Small Meaningful interaction Link Everyone”
which is what the Smile team aim to achieve
for people in their senior years.
ABOUT US… OUR MISSION AND VISION
Smile was established by Dementia Ambassadors Katharine and Lynn Smith, who sought to leverage their motivational skills and extensive experience in activities to support care homes and community groups in maintaining an active lifestyle.
In reponse to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we launched a lending library service, offering a diverse range of equipment for loan during a time when activity ventures faced closures. This initiative has since evolved into our popular Borrow A Box service, specifically designed for people living with dementia.
Proudly operating as a Community Interest Company,
Katharine and Lynn run Smile entirely voluntary
as a 100% non-profit initiative.
Founded in 2017, Smile's primary objective is to keep individuals active during their senior years. Katharine and Lynn collaborate closely, meticulously crafting activities that help those living with dementia and age-related illnesses in Scotland to connect, socialise and most importantly, have fun, all while cultivating a supportive community network. It is vital to us that every activity our team develops promotes engagement and interaction.
Our Supporters...
We are grateful for the support of various organisations that assist us in delivering our mission, including…
The Peoples Project, National Lottery, Hugh Fraser Foundation, St John Lodge 636, St John Scotland, Scot Heating LTD,
West Lothian Council, VSG West Lothian and Graycol.
With their support, Smile continues to make significant strides towards creating vibrant, inclusive environment for all elderly individuals, ensuring they can enjoy a fulfilling and active lifestyle in their community.
Thank you for all being part of this journey with us!
At Smile, we are dedicated to enhancing the lives of elderly individuals living in care homes and those residing within the community.
Based in the heart of West Lothian, we are a small, community-focused non-profit organisation committed to providing enriching activities tailored for our cherished seniors. Our name Smile, stands for "Small Meaningful Interaction Links Everyone," as our team tirelessly strive to create connections and foster joy among our elderly.
BORROW A BOX: THEMED ACTIVITY BOXES
Colour coded activities help people with dementia relate to different subjects.
Smile uses different colours to promote the theme of each activity, this helps people who have lost certain language skills to visually identify an individual activity.
Colours are processed by your brain quicker than words. Choice of colours can benefit you if you have memory loss. Dementia can actually affect your ability to distinguish between objects but The Power Of Colour can help.​
We proudly create themed activity boxes aimed at organisations supporting elderly individuals in care settings and the wider community.
Each box is designed with a particular theme to engage our participants fully.
Our current themes include.
The Power Of Colour
SMILE SEASONAL EVENTS
TEA DANCES
Smile Tea Dance, are a great way to connect with old friends and new within the community.
Tea Dances are much more than an afternoon of music and cakes, they play a vital roll in supporting the well being of others.
LUNCH ON THE CANAL
Smile welcomes the arrival of spring, the opening season of barge trips down the union canal with the Seagull Trust Cruises, a charitable organisation dedicated to providing free barge trips for the elderly.
The excursion began with a leisurely cruise along the picturesque Canal.
Passengers are treated to a fascinating insight into the history of the canal, before stopping for lunch at aqueduct.
The trips on the Seagull's Trust barge have proven to be incredibly beneficial. The peaceful setting and gentle sway of the water provide an ideal backdrop for a relaxing day out.
​
SMILE ANNUAL EVENTS
CANALYMPICS
The Canalympics, is designed to promote physical activity and social well being for older people.
Throughout the year, care home residents practice olympic style events, include kurling, bowling, skittles, hook a duck, cup stacking and sock pairing for the annual Canalympic event.
Smile is proud to support more than 90 residents from 11 care homes across West Lothian to take part in a lively afternoon of friendly competition and sporting challenges at the Canalympics.
SENIOR GAMES
The Senior Games are held in September. Independent Living Seniors, from across West Lothian join together to celebrate Healthy Aging Month.
In September, twenty two teams take part in two weeks of friendly competition. Events included ten pin bowling, kurling, boccia and bean bag games.
Your body is made to move.. stay active
HIGHLAND GAMES
The Highland Games, is a vibrant initiative designed to encourage seniors to embrace an active lifestyle, attendees not only enhance their physical fitness but also build friendships between care sectors.
The Highland games has an engaging line up of weekly challenges leading up to the main event.
​
EVENT HEATS
-
HAGGIS HURLING
-
​STONE ROLLING
-
​AXE THROWING
-
​​WHISKY TUMBLER
-
​HOOK A DUCK
​
bottom of page